Simply Peter

Bible Matters 547:  Simply Peter

When you write a book, one effective way to communicate the lesson to the reader is the following format.

·        In the first chapter, you summarize to the reader, what you are going to tell them. 

·        In the second throw the second to last chapter, you tell them what you want them to know. 

·        In the last chapter you summarize what you just told them. 

Pretty simple format.  After reading the message three times, you will remember it.  You can further simplify your message, by breaking down the content of the chapter is a similar order consisting of three parts; Summarize, message and summarize.

This three-part presentation of the gospel is by design.  Over and over again in the gospel Jesus instructed Peter in three parts.   Before Jesus was crucified, he told Peter that he would deny him three times.  After Jesus had risen from the dead, he asked Peter if he loved him.  Upon getting a response from Peter, Jesus replied, “Feed my lambs”, “Feed my sheep” and finally, “Follow thou me”.

Simply James was God’s message for the Gospel of Love in just a few paragraphs.   When you read Peter, the simplicity of the verses, also reflect on God’s gospel of Love. 

In the very first chapter of Peter, the summary is offered, at the end of the chapter 1.  This implies that the gospel has already been presented.  Let’s go back and read the chapter.

1 Peter 1:9,25 – Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls.  But the word of the Lord endureth for ever.  And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you.

You must believe in God.

1 Peter 1:21 – Who by him do believe in God, that raised him up from the dead, and gave him glory; that your faith and hope might be in God.

You must repent, be born again and turning your walk from sin to a walk of righteousness by the word of God.

1 Peter 1:14,23 – As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance:  Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which lives and abides forever.

God is the judge.  Your goal is to perform works of love. 

1 Peter 1:17 – And if ye call on the Father, who without respect of persons judgeth according to every man’s work, pass the time of your sojourning here in fear:

Obey the truth in God’s word with love of thy neighbor.

1 Peter 1:14,22 – As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance:  Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently:

Endure to the end with hope and salvation of your souls.

1 Peter 1:9,13 – Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls.  Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ;

Peter presented God’s gospel of love in just one chapter.  I don’t know how many times you have read Peter, but I can tell you that Peter got the message from Jesus.  It was three and a half long years for Peter, but he got it.  Peter speaks the gospel of Love, from the spirit, soul and heart. 

That is exactly why God has told you that the truth in God’s word can be found out of the mouth of two or three witnesses.  Don’t believe one-off verse messages of salvation, without works.    You must live Peter’s testimony of God’s gospel of Love.

Let’s review Peter’s testimony on God’s gospel of Love. 

• Believe in one God – (See 1 Peter 1:21; 2 Peter 1:2-3)

1 Peter 1:21 – Who by him do believe in God, that raised him up from the dead, and gave him glory; that your faith and hope might be in God.

• Repent of your sins and surrender to God – Your walk with God begins when you turn from your sinful past and do the will of God.  (See 2 Peter 3:9; 1 Peter 2:9-10; 1 Peter 1:23; 1 Peter 1:23; 1 Peter 2:1-3; 1 Peter 2:24; 1 Peter 4:1-4; 1 Peter 5:8-9)

2 Peter 3:9 – The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.

• Judge no one – Judge your pure walk against God’s word.  Do not assume righteousness by comparing your walk against another. (See 1 Peter 1:13-16; 1 Peter2:12-17; 1 Peter 3:8-12; 1 Peter 4:15)

1 Peter 4:15 – But let none of you suffer as a murderer, or as a thief, or as an evildoer, or as a busybody in other men’s matters.

• Love God – Be a witness for God and faith as evidence by your good works. (See 1 Peter 1:17; 1 Peter 3:15-17; 1 Peter 5:2)

1 Peter 3:15 – But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:

• Love your Neighbor – (See 2 Peter 1:5-7; 1 Peter 1:22; 1 Peter 4:7-10)

1 Peter 4:7-10 – But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer.  And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins.  Use hospitality one to another without grudging.  As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.

• Keep yourself in the love of God, unto eternal life – to be revealed in the last time.  (See 1 Peter 1:4-5,9; 1 Peter 3:17; 1 Peter 4:19; 1 Peter 5:6-7; 2 Peter 1:9-11)

1 Peter 1:4-5,9 – To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you,  Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.  Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls.

 

 

To God be the glory in all you do, Amen.